Police say "significant" resources are being devoted to the capture of a convicted gang rapist who absconded from a hospital in Sydney's south-west yesterday morning.

Authorities say that Michael Angok, 30, was receiving treatment before he escaped custody at Bankstown Hospital at about 9.30am yesterday, after being transported from Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. 

He has been on the run for more than 30 hours. 

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The 30-year-old was imprisoned for his role in the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in Doonside, in Sydney's west, in 2014 and has spent the past nine years in Villawood Detention Centre.

NSW Police Detective Superintendent Brett Van Akker said that Angok is "well-known to police" as they appeal to the public for information.

Van Akker said that while police will not comment on his criminal history, "significant police resources" are working towards his capture.

Personal items belonging to the 30-year-old were found on Gallipoli Road in Condell Park after his escape.

READ MORE: Woman allegedly attacked hospital patient with hammer over 'stolen ashes'

He is described as being of African appearance, about 175cm to 180cm tall, of thin build with short black hair.

He was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, grey tracksuit pants and white 'croc' sandals.

Angok previously lived in the Blacktown area and may use public transport.

"If anyone knows the whereabouts of this individual, I urge them to come forward and contact police through Crime Stoppers or Triple-Zero," Van Akker said. 

As the search continues, anyone who sees Angok is urged not to approach him but to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.

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A drunk driver who left a woman to die has been sentenced to almost five years behind bars for the incident which prompted a change of Western Australia's laws.

Kelly T'Hart was described as the rock of her family but the 32-year-old's life was cut short almost two years ago when she was hit and killed while walking near Mandurah, about 70 kilometres south of Perth.

Maddison Bain was on bail and behind the wheel, driving on the unlit Furnissdale road with a default speed limit of 110km/h.

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Her blood alcohol level was later calculated as being as high as four times the legal limit.

Her friend in the back seat with a three-month-old baby had told her to drive more carefully and yelled, "F— Maddie, you just hit someone".

But the 27-year-old carried on home, leaving T'Hart to die face down in the dirt.

The incident prompted T'Hart's family to lobby for a change to the law, stopping hit-run drivers from getting back on the road while on bail.

"Don't drink and drive, it takes nothing to get an Uber or ring a friend or a family member," T'Hart's mother, Susan T'Hart, said outside court today.

"Don't do this to other people and kill someone they love."

Bain wiped tears from her eyes as the victim's mother read her statement but she showed a lot more emotion when her own children were discussed.

The court heard she'd fallen pregnant while waiting for her case to be dealt with.

Bain was sentenced today to four years and 11 months in jail and also banned from driving for three and half years.

T'Hart's mum successfully lobbied for the Traffic Act to be changed after Bain was allowed to continue driving while on bail.

A bill known as Kelly's Law is now before Parliament.

"She'd be super proud like we all are," family friend Denyse Needham said outside court.

"It's a wonderful legacy for such a beautiful girl."

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An alleged hammer attack at Sydney's biggest hospital that has left a patient fighting for life was allegedly over stolen ashes.

Police say accused attacker, Viki Graham, 46, was visiting the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown after 12am when she allegedly assaulted 63-year-old patient Brett Jones at his bedside.

Officers were told Graham ignored orders from the night nurse who said it was too late to visit before the alleged attack.

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Graham allegedly told the nurse, "I just want to talk to him".

She then allegedly pulled out a hammer with a pink handle and struck Jones over the head in front of other patients. 

She allegedly then claimed that Brett Jones had stolen her brother's ashes.

Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Deb Willcox said Jones was "well-known" to the staff after a "reasonably long stay" at RPA Hospital.

"[She] attended the bedside of the patient, and an unfortunate, serious event has occurred," Wilcox said.

"Our patient is well-known to the staff, and we care about that patient very much."

Jones remains in a critical condition after he suffered serious injuries following the attack.

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She said he is now in the intensive care unit and that no other patients or staff were "impacted" following the incident.

"Obviously, it is a distressing event for [those] involved."

She said Graham was able to access the "four-bedded bay" inside one of the general wards at midnight because the hospital is open 24 hours.

"I'm advised the staff did speak to the person who came into the ward, and there was no issue," Wilcox said.

"The hospital ward had a number of other patients in our care."

Wilcox said that the hospital has 24/7 surveillance and that security arrived "promptly" following the alleged incident.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said he will be reviewing the incident.

"From time to time, given the complex nature of people presented in our emergency departments, there are issues we have to handle," he said.

Graham was arrested at the scene and taken to Newtown Police Station.

She was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and faced court today after being denied bail.

She is set to remain behind bars until at least her next court appearance in June. 

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